Unique Mid-Autumn Festival customs in different regions of Vietnam

Mr. Dai's family in Hai Phong makes traditional lion dances to preserve and promote the unique cultural values of the nation.

As one of the most important holidays of the year, Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a children's festival but also carries profound values of family bonding, strengthening community ties, and preserving the beauty of cultural heritage.

Northern region: Tradition of feasting and lion dancing

Mid-Autumn Festival customs in the North are considered a vivid cultural picture, bearing strong traditional imprints and the resonance of folk beauty.

On this occasion, the image of elaborately prepared moon-viewing trays becomes familiar, with fruits created into unique shapes such as dogs made from grapefruit, rabbits made from bananas or cute fish made from pickled persimmons. This is a unique feature, both interesting and demonstrating the ingenuity of the people of the North.

Children could not hide their excitement when holding the bright star lanterns or colorful carp lanterns in their hands, then together bustlingly paraded through the alleys, bringing a vibrant festival atmosphere. The indispensable highlight of this day is the moment of gathering under the moonlight, when everyone breaks the cake together - a traditional ritual that is both joyful and full of meaning to connect the community.

In many northern villages, the custom of lion dances and dragon dances is still maintained in a traditional way, creating a unique identity for the occasion. The sound of lion drums resounds loudly, blending with the strong and energetic dance movements of folk actors. According to traditional beliefs, this activity not only brings joy but also symbolizes luck, helps dispel evil spirits and brings good things to the audience.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is an occasion for the whole village and neighborhood to gather. Photo: VNA

Central region: Mid-Autumn Festival associated with community festivals

Unlike the Mid-Autumn Festival in the North, people in the Central region always consider this as a village festival, where everyone in the community joins in the common joy.

As in Hoi An, the Mid-Autumn Festival has long been a unique cultural event with a festival of lights. Hoi An ancient town is immersed in a romantic atmosphere when all the electric lights are turned off, leaving only the brilliant lanterns and the gentle moonlight to shine. Children and tourists eagerly release flower lanterns on the Hoai River, creating a charming and emotional scene.

In Hue , besides moon cakes and sticky rice cakes, the Mid-Autumn Festival tray is also rich with green rice flakes, lotus sweet soup and many traditional sweet dishes typical of the ancient capital. Folk games such as blindfolded pot smashing, tug of war, and lantern procession also contribute to the excitement of the holiday, bringing joy to children everywhere.

For people in the Central region, Mid-Autumn Festival is not only for children, but also an occasion for the whole village or neighborhood to gather together to foster community spirit and great solidarity.

Lantern procession and bustling street festival to welcome Mid-Autumn Festival.

South: Lantern processions and bustling street festivals

In the South, Mid-Autumn Festival is inseparable from the image of colorful lanterns. From traditional paper lanterns to modern battery-powered plastic lanterns that play cheerful music, with a variety of shapes such as carp, butterfly, superhero or princess.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Luong Nhu Hoc lantern street (District 5) is always an unmissable highlight every Mid-Autumn Festival. Lines of children hand in hand with their parents eagerly go shopping for lanterns, take souvenir photos and enjoy the festive atmosphere. In the rural areas of the South, Mid-Autumn Festival becomes especially vibrant with lion and dragon dances along the streets, turning the full moon night into a colorful and bustling street festival.

Mid-Autumn Festival in the culture of some ethnic minorities

Mid-Autumn Festival in the culture of some ethnic minorities in Vietnam is not simply a traditional festival commonly found in the lowlands, but also has unique features and cultural characteristics in the life of each community.

The Tay and Nung people in provinces such as Cao Bang and Lang Son often organize traditional lion dances during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Unlike the lion dance of the Kinh people, the lion here becomes a symbol of strength and hope for a bountiful harvest, associated with community spirit and faith in nature.

The Thai people in the Northwest region have a very unique way of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. Children often carry lanterns together and participate in folk games such as throwing con, throwing pao or joining in xoe dances around the campfire. In addition, this is also the time for boys and girls to meet, find partners, and build long-lasting relationships in the festive atmosphere.

For the Mong people, Mid-Autumn Festival is often associated with bustling full moon markets, where children are given simple toys by their parents such as mouth trumpets, wooden objects or silver bracelets. The liveliness of the markets not only enriches the holiday but also creates beauty in the daily life of this ethnic group.

The Khmer people in the South have a different way of celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival as this festival takes place right before Ok Om Bok (Moon worshiping ceremony). Khmer children not only carry lanterns but also join in group dancing and singing in the spiritual space of the pagoda, bringing a deep sense of connection between religious culture and the festival.

From each cultural perspective, each ethnic community has breathed life into the Mid-Autumn Festival, turning it into an indispensable part of their identity. These unique nuances contribute to enriching the diverse and vibrant festival picture of Vietnam.

PV (synthesis)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/nhung-phong-tuc-doc-dao-trung-thu-o-cac-vung-mien-viet-nam-522085.html